‘It has been scientifically proven, beyond contradiction, that the use of fireworks releases high levels of toxic pollution into our atmosphere’
By Neela Ramsundar
THIS August 31st marks our 60th anniversary since we gained independence from British rule.
Scheduled celebrations on the holiday night itself include State-funded massive fireworks shows at the Queen Park Savannah in Trinidad and the Waterfront in Tobago.
There have been many calls to rethink the intended fireworks displays. Some plead for the show to be cancelled. Others, for the event to be moved to a location least dangerous to the public, wildlife and pets. All pleas have thus far been met with deafening silence. Instead, the State is seeking comment on its proposed Fireworks Bill [here is the link – https://agla.gov.tt/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/THE-SUMMARY-OFFENCES-AMENDMENT-BILL-2021-FIREWORKS-BILL-1.pdf .
Currently, the law permits the use of fireworks except within towns, streets and within 60 feet of the centre of a street. The fines for breaches are paltry (no more than $1,000). Upon application, the Commissioner of Police has the authority to circumvent these restrictions.
‘Fireworks and the Fireworks Bill ought to be discarded as a relic of the past when the world just didn’t know any better’
The said Fireworks Bill proposes, in summary, to permit fireworks usage during public holidays and December 31st, but only at fixed times, as per EMA recommendations. For a public holiday, fireworks can be discharged between 8 pm to 9 pm. On Old Year’s night, the permitted period is 11:30 pm to 1 am New Year’s morning. Any other time, use of fireworks would require a permit to be issued from the Commissioner of Police. An offence under the Bill could result in a fixed penalty notice being issued to the offender by a police officer, for an unknown sum of money at this time.
It has been scientifically proven, beyond contradiction, that the use of fireworks releases high levels of toxic pollution into our atmosphere. The heavy metals released by the detonations do not magically disappear, as many people think. Their atoms remain in the air, eventually contaminating our water and the earth. One example is an emission called perchlorate. This is a chemical which the US Environmental Protection Agency says may “disrupt the thyroid’s ability to produce hormones needed for normal growth and development.” Fireworks discharge also releases carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases that are fuelling climate change.
As if that wasn’t enough to turn any reasonable mind away from fireworks, citizens have been endlessly asking the state to recognise the harm the noise causes to vulnerable citizens, wildlife and pets. The gunpowder blasts from fireworks are extremely loud and sudden. Animals such are dogs die every year directly from heart attacks from the noise to escape their homes in terror and being hit by oncoming vehicles. People too can and do suffer from heart attacks on one extreme, to sinus attacks on the other.
Currently, I know of no fireworks that can be discharged without releasing toxic chemicals and without noise pollution. Even the so-called noiseless fireworks do emit sound.
Fireworks are harmful to us all and dangerous. It should be banned completely. The cons far outweigh the pros. Fireworks and the Fireworks Bill ought to be discarded as a relic of the past when the world just didn’t know any better.
New technology such as drone light shows is the way of the future. Drone light shows employ the use of groups of drones to move around in brilliant, illuminated aerial formations. They are controlled by computer programs where almost any image imaginable can be recreated in the sky. Many countries around the world are wowing audiences with their spectacular drone light shows. It is truly amazing.
The Attorney General is inviting comment from the public on its Fireworks Bill. I’ve submitted mine and you can too by sending your email to its designated email address: events@ag.gov.tt.
Disclaimer:The contents of this article are for general informational purposes only and/or contain the opinions and/or thoughts of the writer only. It does not provide legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship with any reader. For legal advice on your specific situation, please contact an Attorney-at-Law of your choosing directly. Liability for any loss or damage of any kind whatsoever allegedly incurred as a consequence of relying on content in this article is thus hereby excluded to the fullest extent permitted by law.
Ban Fireworks: Drone Light Shows are the Future
‘It has been scientifically proven, beyond contradiction, that the use of fireworks releases high levels of toxic pollution into our atmosphere’
THIS August 31st marks our 60th anniversary since we gained independence from British rule.
Scheduled celebrations on the holiday night itself include State-funded massive fireworks shows at the Queen Park Savannah in Trinidad and the Waterfront in Tobago.
There have been many calls to rethink the intended fireworks displays. Some plead for the show to be cancelled. Others, for the event to be moved to a location least dangerous to the public, wildlife and pets. All pleas have thus far been met with deafening silence. Instead, the State is seeking comment on its proposed Fireworks Bill [here is the link – https://agla.gov.tt/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/THE-SUMMARY-OFFENCES-AMENDMENT-BILL-2021-FIREWORKS-BILL-1.pdf .
Currently, the law permits the use of fireworks except within towns, streets and within 60 feet of the centre of a street. The fines for breaches are paltry (no more than $1,000). Upon application, the Commissioner of Police has the authority to circumvent these restrictions.
‘Fireworks and the Fireworks Bill ought to be discarded as a relic of the past when the world just didn’t know any better’
The said Fireworks Bill proposes, in summary, to permit fireworks usage during public holidays and December 31st, but only at fixed times, as per EMA recommendations. For a public holiday, fireworks can be discharged between 8 pm to 9 pm. On Old Year’s night, the permitted period is 11:30 pm to 1 am New Year’s morning. Any other time, use of fireworks would require a permit to be issued from the Commissioner of Police. An offence under the Bill could result in a fixed penalty notice being issued to the offender by a police officer, for an unknown sum of money at this time.
It has been scientifically proven, beyond contradiction, that the use of fireworks releases high levels of toxic pollution into our atmosphere. The heavy metals released by the detonations do not magically disappear, as many people think. Their atoms remain in the air, eventually contaminating our water and the earth. One example is an emission called perchlorate. This is a chemical which the US Environmental Protection Agency says may “disrupt the thyroid’s ability to produce hormones needed for normal growth and development.” Fireworks discharge also releases carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases that are fuelling climate change.
As if that wasn’t enough to turn any reasonable mind away from fireworks, citizens have been endlessly asking the state to recognise the harm the noise causes to vulnerable citizens, wildlife and pets. The gunpowder blasts from fireworks are extremely loud and sudden. Animals such are dogs die every year directly from heart attacks from the noise to escape their homes in terror and being hit by oncoming vehicles. People too can and do suffer from heart attacks on one extreme, to sinus attacks on the other.
Currently, I know of no fireworks that can be discharged without releasing toxic chemicals and without noise pollution. Even the so-called noiseless fireworks do emit sound.
Fireworks are harmful to us all and dangerous. It should be banned completely. The cons far outweigh the pros. Fireworks and the Fireworks Bill ought to be discarded as a relic of the past when the world just didn’t know any better.
New technology such as drone light shows is the way of the future. Drone light shows employ the use of groups of drones to move around in brilliant, illuminated aerial formations. They are controlled by computer programs where almost any image imaginable can be recreated in the sky. Many countries around the world are wowing audiences with their spectacular drone light shows. It is truly amazing.
The Attorney General is inviting comment from the public on its Fireworks Bill. I’ve submitted mine and you can too by sending your email to its designated email address: events@ag.gov.tt.
Be safe T&T and Happy Independence Day!
Copyright © 2022 Neela Ramsundar, LL.B (HONS), L.E.C is a Civil Litigation Attorney at Law & Certified Mediator.
Disclaimer: The contents of this article are for general informational purposes only and/or contain the opinions and/or thoughts of the writer only. It does not provide legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship with any reader. For legal advice on your specific situation, please contact an Attorney-at-Law of your choosing directly. Liability for any loss or damage of any kind whatsoever allegedly incurred as a consequence of relying on content in this article is thus hereby excluded to the fullest extent permitted by law.